vernon film society
Bringing the best in world and Canadian film to film lovers of Vernon and the North Okanagan
THE DUCHESS
Director: Saul Dibb
Cast: Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Charlotte Rampling
Run Time: 110 minutes
Country: United Kingdom
Year: 2008
Language: English
Rating: Not yet rated
Reviews: Not yet released
Official Site: www.theduchessmovie.co.uk
“When she appears, all eyes are turned toward her. She is the subject of universal conversation and what we see her wearing tonight, I look forward to seeing the rest of you wearing tomorrow…” – The Duchess
The highly anticipated screen adaptation of Amanda Forman’s bestselling 1998 novel, Georgiana: Duchess of Devonshire, arrives on screens this fall with United Kingdom A-listers Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes assuming the glamorous lead roles of Duke and Duchess.
Often called the predecessor to Lady Diana Spencer, Georgiana Spencer (Diana’s real-life great-great-great aunt) was the top political hostess and utmost fashion icon of her time. Struggling to be fulfilled in an arranged marriage to William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire, Georgiana became an extremely influential power-broker among the ruling elite, using her charisma and popularity to achieve her political goals while also using her position in the aristocracy to cater to her affinity for an extravagant and promiscuous lifestyle. Rumors of her infidelity, both real and imagined, buzzed through the halls of eighteenth-century nobility, but politicians still sought her opinion. After all, it was politically safer to be seen in the company of the most popular noble of the time than have others assume you simply weren’t invited to one of her parties. While truly the “It” girl of eighteenth-century England, the hedonistic Spencer’s life was quietly beset by strife and controversy. Recreational drug use, eating disorders and a fierce gambling addiction pursued her until her death in 1806 at the age of forty-nine. The film adaptation brings Forman’s controversial biography to life in all its vividness.
A huge production with a stellar cast and costumes so lavish that “the Empress of Fashion herself” would have haughtily approved, make The Duchess a promising hopeful for Academy Award® recognition for 2008.
